Bone Cancer – Symptoms and Causes
Understanding Bone Cancer
Bone cancer starts within bone tissue. It can begin in any bone but often affects the thighbone. This is different from cancers that spread to bones from elsewhere in the body.
When cancer moves from another organ to the bones, it keeps its original name – for instance, breast cancer that spreads to bones remains breast cancer.
Primary bone cancer is uncommon. Several types exist, with some varieties primarily affecting children while others typically appearing in adults.
Treatment options include:
- Surgery to remove cancerous tissue
- Radiation therapy to kill cancer cells
- Chemotherapy medications
The most appropriate treatment depends on:
- The specific bone cancer type
- Which bone is affected
- The cancer’s stage
- The patient’s overall health
Healthcare providers create personalized treatment plans based on these factors. Early diagnosis often leads to more effective treatment outcomes.
Types of Bone Cancer
There are three main types of bone cancer:
- Osteosarcoma: Most common in teenagers and young adults, often forming in growing bones of the legs or arms.
- Ewing Sarcoma: Typically affects children and young adults, usually starting in the pelvis, chest wall, or long bones.
- Chondrosarcoma: More common in adults, developing in cartilage cells in areas like the pelvis, hip, and shoulder.
Signs and Symptoms
Bone cancer often causes several noticeable symptoms. The most common sign is pain in the affected bone, which may start mild but become more severe over time.
People might notice swelling or tenderness around the area where the pain occurs.
As the cancer weakens the bone, fractures can happen more easily, sometimes from minor injuries or normal activities. Many patients also experience fatigue, feeling unusually tired even after resting.
Unexplained weight loss is another warning sign that might accompany other symptoms.
When To Visit a Healthcare Provider
If you notice any concerning symptoms related to bone pain or unexplained changes in your body, schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider. Don’t wait if pain persists or worsens over time.
What Causes Bone Cancer
Bone cancer begins when cells in or near bones change their DNA. Normal cells have DNA that tells them when to grow, multiply, and die.
When DNA changes, cells get wrong instructions. They grow too fast and don’t die when they should. This leads to too many cells.
These extra cells may form a lump called a tumor. The tumor can grow and damage healthy tissue nearby. Sometimes cancer cells break away and spread to other body parts. When cancer spreads like this, doctors call it metastatic cancer.
Most of the time, doctors don’t know what causes bone cancer’s DNA changes.
Main Types of Bone Cancer
Bones contain many different cell types. Doctors classify bone cancers based on which cell type is affected. Here are the most common types:
Osteosarcoma
- Most common bone cancer type
- Starts in cells that form bones
- Usually affects teenagers and young adults
- Can also affect younger children and older adults
- Most often occurs in leg bones, sometimes arm bones
- Rarely develops in soft tissue outside bones
Chondrosarcoma
- Usually begins in bones, sometimes in soft tissue
- Most commonly affects the pelvis, hip, and shoulder
- Typically affects middle-aged and older adults
Ewing Sarcoma
- Can start in bones or nearby soft tissue
- Mainly affects children and young adults
- Can occur at any age
- Most often begins in leg bones and pelvis
- Can develop in any bone
Risk Factors
Several factors can increase a person’s chance of developing bone cancer:
Genetic Factors: People with certain inherited conditions like Li-Fraumeni syndrome and hereditary retinoblastoma face higher risks.
Existing Bone Disorders : Conditions such as Paget’s disease and fibrous dysplasia may raise the likelihood of bone cancer.
Previous Cancer Treatments: Both radiation therapy and certain chemotherapy medications can potentially increase risk later in life.
Currently, medical experts have not identified effective prevention methods for bone cancer. Regular check-ups with healthcare providers remain important for those with known risk factors.
